Champlain, named for explorer Samuel de Champlain, has a rich history shaped by war, the Canadian border, and the French ancestry of many of its residents. The Great Chazy River runs through the heart of Champlain, making it an inviting location for early settlers on the northern frontier. Founded in 1788, it was on the front lines for the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and even the Civil War. Once known for a graceful main street lined with stately elms, it was primarily an agricultural community with other supporting industries, including one of the country's first ski manufacturers, a boatyard, and iron and metalworking factories. Champlain chronicles the town and village through images of its homes, businesses, churches, and people over the past century and a half.